Testaments of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

By Scriptural Research Institute

In the early Christian era, many Testaments of the Patriarchs circulated in Jewish and Christian communities, the foremost being the Testaments of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The other major testaments were grouped together as the Testaments of the Twelve, which included the Testaments of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Joseph, and Benjamin. These testaments were widely accepted by the early Christian churches, and continue to form part of the Armenian Bible. The books were popular in Western Europe during the Middle Ages when they were generally considered authentic ancient Jewish texts. Critical analysis in the 16th century changed the view of Protestants and Catholics, as scholars at the time came to the belief that the texts were written in the early Christian era, likely in Greek. Subsequently, the texts fell out of favor in most parts of Europe. However, Hebrew fragments of the Testaments of the Patriarchs were discovered in the 20th century among the Dead Sea Scrolls, proving the texts were originally written in Aramaic and Hebrew. The current academic view is that there was a simpler Hebrew Jewish version that was then updated in the early Christian era by Greek speakers that added the Christian prophesies.

Both versions of the Testament of Abraham show strong influences of Jewish thought dating to the Second Temple era, including the Merkabah literature of flying chariots, and the early-Christian cloud-of-light literature. Both of these literary devices were used by angels to fly around, as well as to carry humans, or lead them. Examples of these flying vehicles can be found in the Gospel of Matthew, Protevangelion (Gospel of James), Paraphrase of Shem, Acts of Peter, Acts of Peter and Andrew, 1st Conflict of Adam and Eve with Satan, Revelations of Metatron, Ethiopian Apocalypse of Peter, and the Apocalypse of John. In the Protevangelion, the cloud-of-light led the Magi to Jesus when he was born. In the Acts of Peter and the Acts of Peter and Andrew, the apostles flew around on clouds, while in the Revelation of Metatron angels flew around in chariots (Merkabah).

A major difference between the two versions was the various names of god used in the later version, most of which appear to have been adopted directly from the Septuagint, such as Lord Sabaoth, who was later redacted to God Almighty in Christian texts, including the Septuagint after the 3rd-century. This would also indicate that the 1st version was almost certainly Christianized before the redaction of the Septuagint in the 3rd-century.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Scriptural Research Institute
• Release date: Jan 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781989604809

Book preview

1st Testament of Abraham - Chapter 1

ABRAHAM LIVED THE LENGTH of his life, nine hundred and ninety-five years, and having lived all the years of his life in quietness, gentleness, and righteousness. The righteous one was exceeding hospitable, for, pitching his tent in the cross-roads at the oak of Mamre, he received everyone, both rich and poor, kings and rulers, the maimed and the helpless, friends and strangers, neighbors and travelers, all alike did the devout, all-holy, righteous, and hospitable Abraham entertained. Even on him, however, there came the common, inexorable, bitter lot of death and the uncertain end of life. Therefore the god Iaw,¹ summoned his archangel Michael,² and said to him, Go down, chief-captain Michael, to Abraham and speak to him concerning his death, that he may set his affairs in order, as I have blessed him to be like the stars of the sky, and like the sand of the sea-shore, and he is in abundance of long life and many possessions and has become exceeding rich. Beyond all men, moreover, he is righteous in all goodness, hospitable and loving to the end of his life, but go, archangel Michael, to Abraham, my beloved friend, and announce to him his death and assure him of this, ‘You will at this time leave from this vain world, and will leave the body, and go to your lord among the good.’

1st Testament of Abraham - Chapter 2

THE CHIEF-CAPTAIN DEPARTED from before the face of God, and went down to Abraham to the oak of Mamre, and found the righteous Abraham in the field close by, sitting beside yokes of oxen for plowing, together with the sons of Masek and other servants, to the number of twelve. The chief-captain came to him, and Abraham, seeing the chief-captain Michael coming from far away, like a very handsome warrior, got up and met him as was his custom when meeting and entertaining all strangers. The chief-captain saluted him and said, "Greetings, most honored father, righteous soul³ chosen of God, true son of the heavenly one."

Abraham replied to the chief-captain, Greetings, most honored warrior, bright as the sun and more beautiful than all the sons of men. You are welcome, and I beg your presence. Tell me where the youth of your age has come from. Teach me, your student, and from where, and from what army, and what journey has brought your beauty here.

The chief-captain answered, I, O righteous Abraham, come from the great city. I have been sent by the great king to take the place of a good friend of his, for the king has summoned him.

Abraham said, Come, my Lord, go with me as far as my field.

The chief-captain replied, I’ll come, and going into the field which was being plowed, they sat down beside the workers.

Abraham said to his servants, the sons of Masek, Go to the herd of horses, and bring two horses, quiet, and gentle and tame, so that I and this stranger may ride on them.

But the chief-captain said, No, my lord, Abraham, let them not bring horses, for I abstain from ever riding on any four-footed beast. Is not my king rich in much merchandise, having power both over men and all kinds of livestock? But I abstain from ever riding on any four-footed beast. Let us go, then, O righteous soul, walking lightly until we reach your house.

Abraham replied, Amen, let it be.

1st Testament of Abraham - Chapter 3

AS THEY TRAVELED ON from the field to his house, along the road there stood a cypress tree, and by the command of Iaw, the tree cried out with a human voice, saying, Holy, holy, holy is the god Iaw that calls to himself those that love him, but Abraham kept quiet, thinking that the chief-captain had not heard the voice of the tree.

Approaching the house, they sat down in the court and Isaac seeing the face of the angel said to Sarah his mother, Mother, look, the man sitting with my father Abraham is not a son of the race of those that live on the earth.

Isaac ran, and saluted him, and fell at the feet of the Incorporeal, and the Incorporeal blessed him and said, "The god Iaw will grant you his promise that he made to your father Abraham and his descendants, and will also grant you the precious prayer of your father and your

Reviews for Testaments of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

[Cindy Haugland · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

id love to see this from a hebraic mindset not the corrupted christian mind set..... its a good story however it contradicts the cannon in some places.